Your source for the latest news on Rutgers football, basketball, and other sports

Menu

Video: Issaka commits to Rutgers

Max Issaka never could have imagined being in this position two months ago, when he was firmly committed to continue his football career at Pitt.

But the 6-3, 210-pound defensive end/linebacker from Woodbridge opted to re-open his recruitment in the aftermath of two coaching shakeups at Pitt.

“”We just decided with the second strike, we must look at other schools,” Issaka said. “”It wasn’t anything against Pitt. We just had to look at other schools for our own benefit. That’s what we did.”

For a month, Issaka said he had no idea where he would land.

“”I was a little stressed out, concerned a little bit,” Issaka said. “”I talked to my dad, talked to my mom, talked to my coaches, and brothers. They all basically told me the same thing — I’m a good enough player to go anywhere I want at this point. I was real confident everything was going to work out in the end.”

On Friday, it did.

Issaka put an end to his rollercoaster recruitment, choosing to play for Rutgers over North Carolina during a press conference from his Port Reading living room.

“”The main thing is my family being around,” Issaka said. “”I decided at first with Pitt to go a little further away from home but still be close enough where I could drive back. But with that (commitment) it didn’t turn out well. So I decided to take into consideration how close Rutgers is to my house.

“”Family is No. 1 to me. Family and tradition. It’s been a tradition for my family to be at games so I just didn’t want to lose sight of that. Watching TV is not the same as being at games. That’s the main thing that wanted me to be part of the Scarlet Nation.”

Asked to describe his feelings on his recruitment coming to an end, Issaka smiled and said, “”Relief.”

“”It feels much better,” he said, “”because my parents have been through a lot going through each visit and trying to cram it all in. This is much better knowing that I play in front of thousands of friends from my home state.”

About Keith Sargeant

Keith Sargeant is a graduate of Middlesex County College and Kean University. A Home News Tribune staff writer since August 1997, Keith has been covering Rutgers sports since 2000, serving as the Scarlet Knights' football beat writer since 2006.

I hate it when these kids who have been so babied there whole lives pass on an opportunity to experience someplace new and different just so they can stay close to Mommy and Daddy. Really, who would pick the putrid scenery of Piscataway over anywhere else??

Great stuff. Congrats on your choice. I am not a Rutgers grad but enjoy seeing young men make a choice thats right for them despite the haters such as Mike O and J Banos. Best of luck, keep working hard and you can do anything. See you on the banks.

Follow Scarlet Scuttlebutt on Twitter and Facebook

Move your mouse over a day

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Rutgers used Zach Allen in a key spot at quarterback, but stuck heavily with Chris Laviano in a 37-28 victory over New Mexico. Scarlet Report takes you inside the decision-making process with commentary from Allen and Laviano.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Scarlet Report analyzes the little things and not-so-noticeable moments that took place in the Rutgers 37-28 victory over New Mexico. Publisher Sam Hellman and staff writer Garrett Stepien break down the action.

Listen to what Coach has to say about the Lobos and the upcoming Hawkeyes Rutgers has a winning record now that they sit at 2-1. Many people predicted this to happen and Rutgers is still able to obtain a nice bowl game.Iowa did lose to North Dakota State University this week, an FCS team. Yes, […]

Janarion Grant and Jawuan Harris Keep Doing Their Thing Rutgers comes away with another victory against a subpar team where they were trailing by a good amount in the first quarter. Rutgers scored 31 unanswered points en route to a victory over the Lobos. While there was not as much dazzling plays this game as […]

About the Author

Jerry CarinoJerry Carino has covered sports for the Gannett New Jersey newspapers since 1996 and has been on the college basketball beat since 2003. A native of Old Bridge, he also teaches journalism at Kean University.E-mail Jerry

Josh NewmanJosh Newman has worked for the Press since September 2004 and began covering Shore Conference sports full time in September 2006. He is a 2004 graduate of Springfield College with a degree in communications/sports journalism.E-mail Josh

Ryan DunleavyRyan Dunleavy has covered Rutgers athletics for more than a decade, dating back to his days as a student at his alma mater. He became New Jersey Press Media’s Rutgers women’s basketball beat writer in 2009 and Rutgers football beat writer in 2013. Since joining the staff in 2004, the Morris County native also has covered the NFL, MLB, NBA, the Somerset Patriots and high school sports.E-mail Ryan